About Mortar Board
Scholars…Chosen for Leadership…United to Serve
Mortar Board is a national honor society recognizing college seniors for their exemplary scholarship, leadership and service.
Since its founding in 1918, Mortar Board has grown and evolved to match the needs of members, providing exclusive service and educational opportunities that only Mortar Board can offer.
The Agathai chapter of Mortar Board was founded in 1939 at the University of California, Los Angeles. Since then, our chapter has become the premier honor society for college seniors at the university. Every year we invite the top students in each senior class to apply for membership and applicants are chosen for their demonstrated excellence in academics, leadership, and community service. As members of Mortar Board, we desire to share our unique talents and abilities to support the ideals of the university, to advance a spirit of scholarship, to recognize and encourage leadership, to provide service, and to establish the opportunity for a meaningful exchange of ideas as individuals and as a group.
Mortar Board functions as an honor society rather than an honorary. The difference is that while an honorary exists solely for the purpose of honoring its members, an honor society, although composed of members who have already distinguished themselves and been recognized for such, continues to make significant contributions to college and community life. Belonging to an honor society carries a commitment of individual and group participation. Therefore, Mortar Board members are not an idle part of the organization, but are active and involved, accepting the responsibility and obligation to be devoted to their chapters.
Nearly a quarter of a million members have been initiated at 228 chartered chapters nationwide, including notable members such as:
Additionally, numerous community and international leaders have been named honorary members. To name a few:
Since its founding in 1918, Mortar Board has grown and evolved to match the needs of members, providing exclusive service and educational opportunities that only Mortar Board can offer.
The Agathai chapter of Mortar Board was founded in 1939 at the University of California, Los Angeles. Since then, our chapter has become the premier honor society for college seniors at the university. Every year we invite the top students in each senior class to apply for membership and applicants are chosen for their demonstrated excellence in academics, leadership, and community service. As members of Mortar Board, we desire to share our unique talents and abilities to support the ideals of the university, to advance a spirit of scholarship, to recognize and encourage leadership, to provide service, and to establish the opportunity for a meaningful exchange of ideas as individuals and as a group.
Mortar Board functions as an honor society rather than an honorary. The difference is that while an honorary exists solely for the purpose of honoring its members, an honor society, although composed of members who have already distinguished themselves and been recognized for such, continues to make significant contributions to college and community life. Belonging to an honor society carries a commitment of individual and group participation. Therefore, Mortar Board members are not an idle part of the organization, but are active and involved, accepting the responsibility and obligation to be devoted to their chapters.
Nearly a quarter of a million members have been initiated at 228 chartered chapters nationwide, including notable members such as:
- Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
- Astronaut on the Challenger Judith Resnick
- Best-selling author Aron Ralston
- Professional football player Drew Brees
- Best-selling author Bruce Littlefield
- Writer and motivational speaker David Coleman
Additionally, numerous community and international leaders have been named honorary members. To name a few:
- Professional cyclist Lance Armstrong
- Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor
- Poet Maya Angelou
- Former President Jimmy Carter
- Former Mayor of New York City Rudolph Giuliani
- First woman in space Sally Ride
- American educator, minister, songwriter and television host Fred Rogers
